Lenore

I didn't really see too much in 2016 & what I did see was concentrated more at the RB. I am planning to hopefully see more & branch out next year. However, my favourites were: - ENB's Giselle - Natalia Osipova as Giselle (completely riveting - my expectations were exceeded & I still get goose bumps when remembering it) - Marianela Nunez as Myrthe in the same performance - Yasmine Naghdi in literally everything she danced - Francesca Hayward & Marcelino Sambe's Fille debut - Vladislav Lantratov (Bolshoi) in all of the performances he danced in Although I wouldn't consider it a favourite I did end up enjoying Anastasia. Loved the costumes for the first 2 acts & Osipovas act 3 interpretation. Although I don't think I saw anything I'd define as the worst, there were several things I was lukewarm on in 2016: - The Bolshoi's Swan Lake - Osipova's modern bill at Sadlers Wells (to be fair I'm not really a fan of very modern dancing, but this did nothing to sway my opinion) Happy new year everyone!

If it helps, this link here (http://www.roh.org.uk/people/natalia-osipova) shows all of her upcoming performances.

I ended up going for 4 performances of SB. 2 on the 16th & 2 on the 25th... and I don't even like SB that much! I got roped in by the casting also decided to chance a matinee of Woolf works to see if my opinion changes towards it. Have to say, the booking process was completely painless this morning. The last time I booked as soon as general booking opened (several years ago now), it took me over an hour of constant refreshing to choose a seat. I had everything I wanted & had paid within 15 minutes this morning.

Another interesting upcoming release: Will Tucketts Elizabeth with Zenaida & Carlos. I missed this when it was performed so will probably buy the DVD (due for release on the 28th October). Link here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LWAXMNZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6OP1xb5W8VNNB

Just noticed several upcoming releases now on Amazon. - Manon with Aurélie Dupont and Roberto Bolle. DVD link here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01K819G8W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9MaZxbVAW2KKX - Sleeping Beauty with Iana Salenko and Marian Walter. DVD link here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01IAC0P5O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_FRaZxbP53K6JK Both due to be released on the 14th October.

Was it not originally intended to be Morera, but she was replaced by Kaneko due to injury? Also, looking on Amazon there seems to be a new, upcoming DVD by Opus Arte called Gala Des Etoiles. Filmed in 2015. Due to be released on the 30th September 2016. Has an interesting mix of dancers by the looks of it.

For me, personally, I'm currently due to see more Anastasia's than Fille's. I had a smaller budget & made my decision based on the fact I'd seen Fille not that long ago, but have never seen Anastasia. I'm seeing Frankie & Marcelino in their Fille debut. Although I am still hoping to get a cheapish ticket for the matinee if there's still some left next month (the matinee on the 15th seems to be selling well).

Thank you Capybara for posting the casting I wasn't planning on seeing any Sleeping Beauties this time, especially considering the last one wasn't that long ago, but the casting has completely made me change my mind! Particularly interested in Naghdi/Ball without a shadow of a doubt. Also Takada/Hay and Hayward/Campbell. It should also be interesting to see Osipova/Hirano dance together (I had it in my mind they'd be good for Mayerling). I thought it would be a cheap season... Once again I'm feeling excited. Especially happy about Naghdi/Ball getting more chances to dance together.

Well... I have a very different opinion on this. I've seen Natalia dance several times and have never been anything but fully convinced by her portrayals/characterisations (I think her Giselle will stay with me forever). I've never had the feeling of watching her dancing as herself (if that makes sense), and don't really see this branching out into a different style as pretentious? Maybe we'll have to agree to disagree though. :-) Anyway, I saw the matinee today. I went in with as much of an open mind as I could. I'm the first to admit that contemporary isn't really my cup of tea (I've not entirely enjoyed the McGregor pieces that I've seen thus far, for example). I booked on a whim without really knowing what to expect. I think Beryl H really sums up my thoughts best (& much more eloquently). But I'll attempt to summarise my thoughts on the three pieces. I enjoyed the first piece (Qutb) the most, which I didn't expect. The music was really good. I half expected to find it would drag, but I'm pleasantly surprised to say it didn't. I was so absorbed in it all the time just flew by. I enjoyed the pas de trois & pas de deux with Natalia and Jason Kittelberger, but also the solo by James O'Hara. I thought that was quite dramatic. I think the programme said it was inspired by the planets & I could definitely see the influence from that, as well as the spiritual symbolism. Something that struck me, that doesn't normally register, was the lighting. It was absolutely amazing on all three pieces; it really added to the atmosphere. The second piece (Silent Echo) was still enjoyable despite not being my favourite. Some of those chaines turns by Natalia were so quick her arms were just blurs (I had a mental image of them taking off ha). But I found the 'industrial' type of music for her solo repetitive and grating after a while. The music for Sergei's solo was better (more musical). The final coda section was brilliant. Some amazing dancing from both. I liked the fusion of contemporary and classical. This received the most enthusiastic response from the audience I think, possibly because of this fusion? The final piece was... Interesting. I think that sums up my feelings best. I loved the music. And the costumes. There were a few humorous moments mixed in amongst the drama. I was a bit worried the dirt would prove a slip hazard but thankfully my fears weren't confirmed! I think there was just too little dancing for my liking. I was completely mesmerised though, following the story, but didn't really know what to think when it'd finished. Maybe it'd work as a music video. That was something that crossed my mind. I loved the acting from both Natalia & Sergei, & the way the story was told, but... I don't know. Weirdly I thought I'd enjoy this piece the most but it turned out to be completely the opposite. So, for me, the end piece felt a bit deflating. I wouldn't say I was entirely converted to contemporary dance after this, but it's definitely piqued my interest. I was pleasantly surprised by the performances and have made a mental note to keep an eye out for future Polunin/Osipova performances. I enjoyed their chemistry even from all the way up in the second circle (speaking of which, despite being so high up, I had a perfectly uninterrupted view. This was my first time at Sadler's Wells). Just a quick question. I've noticed there's another performance of this in September/October. Is it exactly the same or will the commissioned pieces be different?

Regarding Natalia's withdrawal from the Bolshoi tour, she discusses this in the short interview in today's Sunday Times Culture magazine, amongst other things. Basically, she's acting upon advice from Doctors to be 'clever and selective' to regain her standard, after a year filled with many injuries (apparently the most recent one before Giselle was a hip dislocation).

Quite unsurprised by the promotions overall. Happy for Matthew & Yasmine especially. But well deserved for everyone. I'm not surprised Akane has been promoted really, especially considering the roles she's been dancing (I.e her Giselle debut). I've really enjoyed her interpretations in pretty much everything I've seen in recent years & definitely feel she's at a principal level. Looking forward to cast announcements for next year now

I was sitting at the right lower slips & for the most part had a pretty good, uninterrupted view. My only issue was with the final pas de deux in Obsidian Tear (I assume it was a pas de deux anyway). I missed the entire thing because they only seemed to dance in one place?

You can find copies of Dolin's The Sleeping Ballerina on eBay & amazon for somewhat reasonable prices, although it's definitely more expensive than other out of print books... Amazon currently has one being sold for ~£11 plus their standard shipping. A really interesting read.

There's another repeat this Sunday (15th) at 2PM for anyone who missed it. It stars Ulyana Lopatkina as the title character.

I was under the impression that one of the factors for her move to the RB was to have a chance to dance more of the classics? And her recent articles express her desire to branch out into different styles whilst she's in her prime, but not necessarily to move away from the classics. I'm definitely much more interested in the casting for next year anyway. Incidentally... Has anyone ever looked at the principal casting in recent years for bias? I can't help but wonder if it's nothing unusual, but I've never really thought too much about it.

Oops. Didn't even notice the date!

Feeling a little underwhelmed by the casting so far... It might just be because I'm not really interested in seeing the McGregor pieces or Nutcracker. Although I'm fairly excited by the Anastasia first cast. And Hayward/Sambé in Fille. Really hoping Naghdi/Ball are cast together more in future performances though. Just noticed one of the Saturday matinees of Nutcracker starts at 5:30 which seems odd to me.

I couldn't find anything posted about this here so hopefully I'm not being slow? Just been on Lauren Cuthbertsons Instagram & there's a video of her & Eric Underwood rehearsing several ballet excerpts for this gala in Jersey. This is the first I've heard of it. It's on Saturday the 7th May. The official website states: 'Stars from the Royal Ballet Lauren Cuthbertson and Eric Underwood and future stars from the Royal Ballet School entertain with your favourite ballet solos and duets in this evening of famous ballet dance and music alongside international soloists Harriet Mackenzie and Milos Milivojevic.' The website with more info is here: http://www.fortregent.je/fort-regent/concerts-events/liberation-ballet

I haven't had issues with drinks before, although I've only seen people with wine occasionally. The worst food experience was when I went to see Bournes SB at the Bristol Hippodrome... The lady behind me opened a stick of salami half way through one of the acts & the smell was so strong I nearly gagged

Has David Hallberg been dancing recently?

Very happy to see lots of Alexandrova & Lantratov Not so happy with the prices of the seats though (just looked online for the first time... eek! I knew it was expensive, didn't realise it'd be by that much though. I'm hoping enough of the decent cheaper seats hold out until the end of the month; so much has already sold!). I'm less happy with the matinee casts, but that's just personal preference. I'm also surprised that Zakharova only has 2 performances. From last year, because I honestly cannot remember, did the casting vary much from when it was announced to the actual shows?

I wonder if it's the same injury? If so, I'm glad she's giving herself time to properly recover. I've found an article which says she was injured during a rehearsal, so I'm assuming it was the Giselle one. So I guess there could have been little time to rehearse as well? Pure speculation on my part though. Reading online now... McRae & Salenko replaced them. It seems the whole event was a fiasco with regards to seats & planning. I wonder if the cast replacement was even announced beforehand?

I thought that was because they had no footage from their performances though (they only had the cinema cast)? I'm pretty sure they commented with that when people were asking.

Hilarion also wears those thigh high boots (no shorts though) in the Giselle with Bessmertnova/Lavrovsky (just noticed the full version is actually on YouTube). Always made me laugh because they're really loose around the thighs... [edited to make the smiley work ha]

Just got back from this evening... I was actually very moved & enjoyed it tremendously. I'm still on a little bit of a high if I'm honest. I found Natalia's interpretation very childlike & fragile which made the ending of act 1 make sense to me. I also didn't think she stabbed herself? I didn't see it anyway. I felt she was totally besotted with Albrecht, but in return he was quite indifferent (almost like he was using her & not really in love?), so I agree with the comments about chemistry. Her mad scene has shot up to be one of my complete favourites. I've never been so involved! I was watching with my mouth wide open I'm sure! Completely heart breaking. Act 2 was pretty much perfect. I have to say I prefer Marianela as Myrthe. There was so much she brought to the role. I saw an almost human side to the character; she seemed genuinely betrayed & upset with Giselle saving Albrecht. I think this was the first time I've actually felt anything towards Myrthe. As a thought, is it usual for the same dancer to be cast as Giselle & Myrthe in the same run? Some quick thoughts anyway. I had an amazing evening despite the rain destroying my shoes just before the performance...